Three inmates killed in separate Sri Lanka prison clashes
Three inmates died and 23 were injured in two prison clashes in Sri Lanka, linked to drug-related gang rivalries.
Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament on Friday that three inmates were killed and more than 20 injured in two separate prison clashes over the past two days.
The first incident occurred late Thursday at Colombo Magazine Prison, where about 40 prisoners broke out of their cells and clashed, resulting in one death. The second took place Friday morning at Kuruwita Prison, about 80 kilometers from the capital, where two inmates died.
Wijepala said 23 inmates were injured across both incidents and were admitted to hospitals. He attributed the violence to narcotics dealers and rival criminal gangs.
The deaths come a month after a clash at Negombo prison on July 6 left at least 26 people dead, including seven prison officers.
Sri Lanka's prisons remain severely overcrowded, with more than 39,000 inmates housed in a system designed for just 10,000, according to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. Senaka Perera, president of the Committee for Rights of Prisoners, noted that the inmate population is four times capacity, and many are suspects awaiting trial for drug-related offenses. Recent stricter bail laws have worsened overcrowding, and poor living conditions keep inmates in constant agitation, triggering incidents. Perera's organization has repeatedly urged authorities to treat drug addicts as medical patients and set up separate rehabilitation facilities.